motivation

Pronunciation: /ˈmoʊ.tə.veɪ.ʃən/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
  2. noun the condition of being motivated
  3. noun the act of motivating; providing incentive

Etymology

From motive (verb) + -ation, probably after French motivation and German Motivation.

In classic literature

Synonyms

motive, need

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
psychological feature
Narrower (hyponyms)
rational motive, urge, psychic energy, ethical motive, life, irrational motive

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